The victim heard a knock at the front door of his flat in Bramford Road at about 2pm and opened the door to a man who made out he was a friend.

The man walked in, initially asked for money and then asked for a glass of water, which he drank and then left.

The elderly victim then discovered that a tin containing a small quantity of cash had been stolen.

A police spokesman said: “The man is described as white, about 35 years old, 6ft 3ins tall and of a large build with a chubby face and fat nose. He wore black framed glasses, a blue shirt with a badge on the right side of the chest and blue matching trousers.”

Anyone who was in the Bramford Road area of Ipswich (town centre end) around 2pm and saw a man matching this description or the e-fit is asked to contact Pc Barry Simpson at Ipswich CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.